Egg carton with reinforcing and advertising means



Jan. 30, 1962 M. e. RODRIGUEZ 3,018,936

EGG CARTON WITH REINFORCING AND ADVERTISING MEANS Filed July 2, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MANUEL G- RODRIGUE 8W4 24am! 0% ATTORNEY5 Jan. 30, 1962 M. G. RODRIGUEZ 3,018,936

EGG CARTON WITH REINFORCING AND ADVERTISING MEANS Filed July 2, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MANUEL G. R0 0 RIGUEZ ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1962 M. G. RODRIGUEZ 3,013,936

EGG CARTON WITH REINFORCING AND ADVERTISING MEANS Filed July 2, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 MANUEL GRODRBUEZ BY M r 63 ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1962 i M. G. RODRIGUEZ 3,018,936

EGG CARTON WITH REINFORCING AND ADVERTISING MEANS Filed July 2, 1957 4 SheetsSheet 4 6 MANUEL G. RODRIGUEZ ATTORNEY- United States Patent O 3,018,936 EGG CARTON WITH REINFORCING AND ADVERTISING MEANS Manuel G. Rodriguez, G.P.0. Box 188, New York .1, N.Y. Filed July 2, 1957, Ser. N0..6 69,514 16 Claims. (Cl. 229'-1.5)

This invention relates to egg cartons and particularly to such cartons having means attached thereto which not only will strengthen the end structure thereof but also will provide a separate member for carrying advertising matter and the like. i i It has long been the practice in the packaging of goods to print advertising matter on the wrapper or container in which the goods are packaged. More recently, in the packaging of certain commodities, a separate member or ribbon has been wrapped around or applied to the wrapper or container of packaged "goods. Such a sepa. rate member becomes more noticeable and hence provides a better means for attracting the attention of the purchaser.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a separate member which is attached to an egg carton which may provide the dual function of assisting in reinforcing the end portion of the carton as well as providing a medium for additional advertising matter. The strengthening and advertising medium of the invention is particularly adapted for use with that 'form of egg carton on which the top, bottom and 'side walls are formed from a folded piece of cardboard which is so bent that the bottom has an inwardly bent portion of generally Y-shape, the stem of which extends upwardly into the box and forms a partition extending lengthwise of the carton. The carton is completed by a series of cross members having portions which extend through transverse slots in the bottom of the canton. These cross members may have their upper portions notched to receive the stem portion of the inverted Y-shape'd bottom, which forms the longitudinal partition of the carton. These cross members form transverse cell-forming partitions and end walls of the cartons.

The present invention may take several forms, but in each form of the invention the reinforcing and advertising member includes a portion which overlies or "is wrapped around a'portion of the carton and'an attached flap which is secured to the carton.

The invention will be ft1rthe1"described in connection with the accompanying drawings in whichsever'al forms of the invention are illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one'end of'an egg carton having the reinforcing and advertising member applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reinforcing and advertising member removed from the carton;

FIG. 3 is an inveited perspective view of one end'of an egg canton 'having another :form of reinforcing and advertising :member applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the end of an egg carton with the-reinforcing and advertising member of FIG. 3 applied thereto, but shown'in side elevation;

FlG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the advertising matter partially .pulled away from the carton and'opened'up;

FIG. 6 is 'an'invertedperspective view of one end of an egg carton having a third form of reinforcing and advertising member applied thereto;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken longitudinally rot-the carton of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view 'ofvthe reinforcing and carton;

3,918,936 Patented Jan. 30, 1962 ice FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one end of an egg can ton showing another form of reinforcing and folded advertising member applied thereto;

FIG. 10 is an inverted perspective view of the end of .thecarton shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view "similar to'FIG. .10, but showing the advertising matter pulled away from the carton and opened up; 7

FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar 'to FIG. 6 of one end of an egg carton having a reinforcing and advertising member attached thereto;

FIG. '13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the carton of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an inverted perspective view of one. end of an egg carton showing a furthe'r menace-ion of the invention; and y FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view through the carton ofFIG. l4.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 the egg carton is of that type in which a rectangular blank of cardboard is creased and folded to form the top, sides and bottom of the carton. The bottom por- 't'ion 1 is bent upwardly along its longitudinal 'ce'nter line to "form a partition 2 extending longitudinally of the car,- ton. This partition extends substantially to the top of the earton. The 'side portions 3 curve downwardly and inwardly to meet the legs of the inverted Y-shapedsection formed by the bending of the bottom to provide the longitudinally-extending partition. The side "walls with the bottom legs of the Y-shaped portion form a cradle or trough in which the eggs are adapted to be placed on end. The top or lid of the carton is formed by a pair of longitudinally-extending panel sections 4 and 4. These panel sections are provided with flaps =5 and '5' which, when the top is-closed, lie along one'side of the longitudinal partition 2, as shown in FIGS. '1 and 3. i

The bottom of the carton is provided with aserie's o'f parallel, transverse slots 6 which receive transverse cross members 7. The cross members 7 *are inserted into the carton through the slots 6 in the bottom of the carton. The cross members have vertical slots extending inwardly from their top edges to receive the longitudinal partition 2 and side extensions "8 "which embrace and strengthen the sides of the carton. The cross members-7 atthe e'nds of the carton form the end Walls of the carton. The longitudinal partitions 2 and the .crossmembers 7 divide the carton into a plurality of cells forthe eggs.

The form of egg carton just described is aform'whic'h has been used extensively and forms no part of the present invention.

The reinforcing and advertising-member of' FIGS. 1 'to 3 *is of generally T-shape-in'blank form. The head of the T comprises a band '10 of light cardboard. The band ltl-is' adapted to-extend transversely around the "egg 'carto'n at one end thereof andlia's inwardly bent flaps 11 and 11 at its 'respective' ends. Theportionslz "and -12 of the band which are*intended to-overlie the top panels '4 and 4' of the cartonar'e provided with laterally-extending fastening extensions 13 and 13 whi'chafe adapted-to "overlie'theportions of theendsof the top-panel sections 4 and 4' which-extend beyondthe end wall of the-carton. The stem of the T comprisesa'nend panel 14 which is integrally connected by a neck 15 to"the center portionpf ably is of a height and width'corresponding substantially to the :heightand width of the {end 'dfthejeg'g carton. It

strengthening member of FIG. -.6 removed from the 7 is formed with "a 'c entrally 'positioned notch or slot 16 extending inwardlvfrom the side thereof remote from the band. The depth of the notch or slot 16 is substantially equal to the depth of the longitudinal partition 2. After the egg carton has been filled with eggs and the lid portions 4 and 4 folded over to close the carton, as shown in FIG. 1, the panel section 14 is inserted through the endmost slot 6 of the bottom of the carton to lie against the cross member 7, forming the end wall of the carton. During this operation, the notch or slot 16 passes over the longitudinal partition 2. The band 10 is then folded to lie at right angles to the panel 14 and is wrapped around the end portion of the carton, between the endmost cross member 7 and the cross member next thereto. The portions 12 and 12' now overlie the top or lid portions 4 and 4' of the carton, and the end flaps 11 and 11' are then tucked in between the end flaps and 5 of the carton. With the band and its panel section 14 now in place, the end extensions 13 and -13' are stapled by means of staples 17 and 17 to the underlying end portions of the cover or lid portions of the carton.

With the reinforcing and advertising member applied to the carton, as described above, the panel section 14 will be securely held in the slot 7 of the bottom of the carton against the end wall of the carton and will impart greater rigidity and strength to the end of the carton.

The band 10 may be printed with any desired advertising matter and will stand out as a member distinctive from the carton itself, and, therefore, attract greater attention than if the same advertising matter printed thereon were merely printed directly onto the end of the carton itself. If desired, the band may also be made of a color contrasting to the color of the carton proper either to add to the attractiveness of the package or to more readily attract attention to it.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the egg carton is identical with the egg carton of FIGS. 1 and 2, and like reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts.

In this form of the invention, the reinforcing and advertising member is made of light cardboard and comprises an end panel 20 which is substantially the same as the end panel 14 of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and which, like the panel 14, is provided with a vertical notch or slot 21 extending inwardly from its upper edge. Extending from the side of the Panel 20 remote from the side having the notch or slot 21 is a member adapted for receiving any suitable advertising or the like. This member comprises a central panel 22 and side panels 23 and 24 attached to the sides thereof. The end of the section 22 remote from the panel 20 is provided with a tab or flap 25.

In using the advertising and reinforcing member of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the panel 20 is inserted through the endmost slot 6 in the bottom of the egg carton, with the notch or slot 21 thereof straddling the longitudinal partition of the carton. The side sections 23 and 24 are then folded over upon the center section 22 and the three sections 22, 23 and 24 in their folded position are then folded over against the bottom of the carton, after which the flap 25 is inserted through one of the transverse slots 6 to lie alongside one of the cross members 7, and at the side of such cross member which is remote from the end of the carton to which the advertising and reinforcing member is applied.

Not only does the provision of the side flaps 23 and 24 provide additional space for advertising matter, but also when they are folded over to lie against the central section 22 they provide a more rigid portion to lie at the bottom of the carton and therefore impart greater strength to the bottom of the carton at the end thereof.

The advertising and reinforcing member of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is shown as applied to a slightly different form of carton, although it'may be used with a carton of the type shown in connection with the preceding forms of the invention.

The form of the carton shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is also a form which is commonly used in the packaging of eggs, but instead of the carton having two top or lid sections which extend inwardly to a longitudinal center line, the cover or lid 30 extends entirely across the top of the carton and is secured to the front wall 31 of the carton by means of a flap 32 having notched projections which interlock with the front wall 31. The bottom 33 of this carton is also bent to generally inverted Y-shape to provide a longitudinally-extending partition. The bottom of the carton, in this instance, is provided with transversely-extending notches 34 through which locking members 35 of the cross members 36 extend and interlock with the bottom of the carton. In this form of carton the transversely-extending cross members or cross partitions are formed integrally with the blank from which the remainder of the carton is made and during assembly of the carton are folded to the position shown so that they, together with the longitudinally-extending partition, will form the necessary cells to receive the eggs. The reinforcing and advertising member of this form of the invention preferably is made of light cardboard and comprises an end panel 37 and a bottom panel 38. As more fully described later, the end panel is adapted to lie at the end of the carton and the bottom panel is adapted to be folded over to lie against the bottom of the carton. The blank from which the panels 37 and 38 are formed is provided with notches 39 and 39 at its edges to facilitate the bending of the bottom panel 38 along the proper transverse line when it is folded to lie against the bottom of the carton. In the form of the carton to which this form of the invention is applied, the cross members 36, including the endmost cross member, do not extend to the top of the carton throughout their length, but are provided with a centrally positioned upward extension 40 which extends the full height of the carton.

The top edge of the end panel 37 has a flap 41 extending therefrom, and the upper edge of the end panel is provided with a slot 42 just inwardly from the transverse line along which the flap 41 is attached thereto.

The edge of the bottom panel 38 remote from the connection of the bottom panel 38 to the end panel 37 has a flap '43 extending therefrom. This flap is provided with a relatively wide slot 44 extending inwardly from its free edge.

In applying the reinforcing and advertising member of this form of the invention to the egg carton, the flap 41 is folded inwardly and upwardly to the position generally shown in FIG. 8 to more or less fix it in this position. The flap is then turned down substantially at right angles to the end panel 37 and is inserted between the top or cover of the carton and the upper extension 40 of the end wall of the carton until the extension 40 enters the notch 42 in the end panel 37, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bottom panel 38 is then folded over at right angles to the end panel 37 and the folded panels wrapped around the end of the carton as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the tabs of the flap 43 formed by the notch 44 inserted into the notches 34 at the opposite side of the bottom of the carton.

In this form of the invention, the advertising and reinforcing member actually extends around the end of the carton and provides reinforcing means as well as also providing a continuous surface at the end of the carton for the printing of advertising matter and the like.

Still another form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, and is specifically shown as applied to a carton of the type shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 3. Therefore, the several parts of the carton are designated by the same reference characters as are used in connection with the description of the cartons of those figures.

The reinforcing and advertising means of this form of the invention comprises an end panel 50 provided with a notch or slot extending inwardly from its upper edge which is adapted, when the advertising and reinforcing ea eries arenas isa snea toa time, to reserved: longitudinal partition of the cartohas well as the fla s sa d extending from the free edge fot the cover or lid p'ortio'ns 4 and 4f of the carton. Connected to the, opposite side of the panel 50 is an advertising flyer consisting of central panel sections and SiZ anH sic Ie panel sections 53, 54 55'and 56, witnthepanel sections 53 an'dfs t being c onhected at sne ide of the sectionsjl and 52 and "the sectiqn js'san s6 a the other sid thereof. The "panel sectio'nsi53 and f54 are of, the same size as the sections 51 and "52 but the sections '55 and 56, while being, of substantially the same Width, areshorter. A tab 57 extends from the freeedg' of 'the section 52,

I In use o'f the/reinforcing and advertising means shown in [this 'forrn, o'f the invention, the carton, ,after it has r n filled with the eg m me lid sectione closed, is invertedandthe panel 50 ,inserted through jthe endrno'st of the transverse slotsin the bo'ttom "of the carton to lie flataga'inst the .e'ndr n'o'st cross member 7. "The sections 55 'and'56 are then folcled inwardly and over these'ctions "s an '52, after whichthe lsections 53 and 54 are folded inwardly. over the "sections 51,52,55 and 56. The several folded l n are then folded jalon'gthe scored line as so that thepane'l 51 and the overlying panels5 3 and 55 are caused to lie against the end of the carton as shown in FIG... 10,. forexample The foldedsections are then further 'folded alonjg the line 159 'to cau'se'the section 52 and the sections 34 and-s6 to lie along the top of the Icarton, as, shown .in. FIG. .9. .These sections are held in their respective positions.bysplacingga section, of adhesive tape;60 .across theend of the tab 57 to secure it againstthe top of .the carton;

The..sections.51 to 56 inclusive provide a relatively large. area for the printing of advertising matter or the like, and, 'if desired, the sections 55 and 56 may be in the form of coupons or business reply cards, in which case it may be desirable to partially sever them from the sections 51 and 52 from which they extend by notches 61 and 62, to facilitate the tearing of them from the sections 51 and 52. If desired, the end panel 50 may be secured to the end wall of the carton by staples 63 and 64 or in any other manner.

In FIGS. 12 and 13 there is disclosed a further form of the invention which is generally similar to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 and which is applied to the carton of the same type as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Therefore, the several parts of the carton of this form of the invention are designated by the same reference characters as those used in connection with describing the carton shown in those figures. The advertising and reinforcing member of this form of the invention comprises an end panel 70 having a flap 71 extending from one side thereof and a bottom section 72 extending from the opposite side thereof. A flap 73 is connected to the edge of the bottom section 72 remote from the end panel 70 and may be partially separated therefrom by end slits 74 and 75. The flap 73 is provided With a relatively wide notch 76 to provide legs 77 and 78.

In applying the advertising and reinforcing medium of this form of the invention to the carton, the flap 71 is bent at right angles to the end panel 70 and is inserted between the cover 30 of the carton and the extension 40. The end panel is then folded up over the end of the carton and the bottom section 72 bent to lie along the bottom of the carton, after which the legs 77 and 78 formed by the central notch 76 are inserted in the slots at the bottom of the carton adjacent the cross member next to the endmost cross member. The central slot 76 provides a space to receive the longitudinally-extending partition of the carton.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an advertising and reinforcing member which is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 9, and 11, except that it is not folded. It is applied to the same general type of carton and the reference characters used to define the several parts of the carton are the same as those used in connection with the deseription of the carton shown in those figures. In these figures, the reinforcing and advertising mediurn comprises an end panel 80 havinga centrally-disposed, longitudinally-extending, vertical slot or notch 81 extending inwardly from its upper edge. An end 'se'ction itZ is connected to the end panel by a relatively narrow, central neck portion 83. A flap 84 extends from the side of the end section 82 remote from the end panel, and a tab 85 extends from the flap 84. In this form of the invention, the end panel is inserted through the e'n'dm'os't transverse slot in the bottom of the carton so thatit lies flat against the end wall of the carton with its notch or slot '31 straddling the longitudinally-extending partition of the carton and the infolded flaps 5 and 5 of the lid sections 4 and 4. The member is then folded at the neck 83 to bring the end section 32 opposite the end of the "carton, after which the flap 82 is folded at right angles and caused to lie along the top of the carton. It is secured 'to the carton 'by a strip b'f adhesive material 86 or the like. I v

In all forms of the invention the reinforcing and advertising matter has been shown as applied only to one end of the carton. However, it is to be understood that it will be applied to bo'th 'ends of the carton, in order to 'obtain the necessary reinforcement of both ends 'as well as to provide additional space for advertising matter.

Various changes may be made 'inthe details of construction of the reinforcing and advertising means without departing from theinventien or 's'acrificing any'of the advantages thereof.

1. In 'an egg carton having side, top and bottom walls, a central partition and cross members forming end walls and intermediate partitions which, with the central partition, divide the carton into a plurality of cells for eggs, "and in which the bottom wall of the carton ha transversely-extending'slotsthrough which portions of the cross members protrude; a separate member at at least one end of the carton, and means for holding said separate member to the carton, said separate member having a part thereof underlying a portion of the bottom of the carton and a panel section connected at one side thereof to said part and passing upwardly through one of the transverse slots in the bottom wall of the carton through which one of the cross members of the carton passes.

2. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1, in which said end panel has a height and width corresponding substantially to the height and width of the adjacent end wall of the carton.

3. In an egg carton having side walls, a bottom wall, and a cover, and a central partition and cross members forming end walls and intermediate partitions which, with the central partition, divide the carton into a plurality of cells for eggs, in which the bottom wall of the carton has transversely-extending slots through which portions of the cross members protrude, and the cover comprises sections integral with the respective side walls of the carton having their free edges terminating along a longitudinal central line of the carton; a separate member at at least one end of the carton having a panel section at the end of the carton and another section extending completely around the adjacent end portion of the carton, transversely thereof, the end portions of said another section having flaps which extend inwardly into the carton between the free edge portions of the cover sections, and means for holding said member to the carton.

4. An egg carton as set forth in claim 3 in which said separate member is of generally T-shape in blank form, the head of the T comprises said another section which is wrapped transversely around the carton and the stem of the T comprises the panel section at the end of the carton.

5. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which said separate member has a section extending completely around the carton transversely thereof.

6. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which said panel section has a slot extending inwardly from the side thereof opposite the side which is connected to the part of the separate member underlying a portion of the bottom of the carton, which slot receives the longitudinally-extending partition of the carton.

7. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which said panel passes upwardly through the endmost transverse slot in the bottom wall of the carton at said end of the carton and lies generally parallel and adjacent to the cross member which passes through said slot.

8. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which a fiap extends from said part which underlies the bottom of the carton at the side thereof opposite the side from which the panel extends and said flap extends through one of the transverse slots in the bottom wall of the carton spaced from said slot through which said panel passes.

9. An egg carton as set forth in claim 8 in which said part which underlies the bottom of the carton comprises a plurality of sections folded upon one another.

10. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which a second panel section extends from said part which underlies the bottom of the carton, at the side thereof opposite the side from which said first-mentioned panel extends, said second panel extends upwardly ovcr the end of the carton and substantially parallel to said first-mentioned panel, and in which another part of the separate member extends from the upper edge of said second panel and overlies the top of the carton.

11. An egg carton as set forth in claim 10 including means securing said first-mentioned panel to the end cross member at said end of the carton.

12. An egg carton as set forth in claim 10 in which each of said second panels and the part which overlies the top of the carton comprise a plurality of sections folded upon one another.

13. An egg carton as set forth in claim 10 in which a tab extends from the free edge of the part which overlies the top of the carton and is secured to the top of the carton.

14. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which the end cross member of the carton at said end of the carton is less than the full height of the carton at its ends and has an extension at the central portion extending substantially to the top of the carton, the end panel section has a flap extending from the edge thereof remote from the part which underlies the bottom of the carton which is bent inwardly under the top of the cover of the carton, between the top of the carton and said extension, and a slot is formed substantially at the juncture of the flap and the end panel to receive said extensron.

15. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which the bottom of the carton has spaced, transversely-aligned slots at opposite sides, and the panel which extends from the part which underlies the bottom of the carton has a notch extending inwardly from its free edge providing legs, and the legs are inserted in said transversely aligned slots and straddle the central partition of the carton.

16. An egg carton as set forth in claim 1 in which a second panel extends from said part which underlies the bottom of the carton, at the side thereof opposite the side from which said first-mentioned panelextends, and said second panel extends over the adjacent end of the carton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,484 Bussey Ian. 28, 1913 1,910,409 Schwartzberg May 23, 1933 2,091,664 Walsh Aug. 31, 1937 2,154,195 Benoit Apr. 11, 1939 2,158,072 Jones May 16, 1939 2,489,817 Rodriguez Nov. 29, 1949 2,542,504 Gariepy Feb. 20, 1951 2,651,862 Fine Sept. 15, 1953 

